Why Are My Gums Swollen? How to Treat Swollen Gums

Swollen gums are often one of the first signs that something isn’t quite right with your mouth. They can happen when plaque builds up along the gumline, leading to irritation and infection. If the swelling is ignored, it may turn into gum disease, which can cause gums to pull away from the teeth, making them loose or even fall out over time.

Healthy gums are like a cushion and support system for your teeth. When they stay swollen and tender, bacteria can spread deeper into the bone and tissues that hold your teeth in place. This can lead to painful infections, bleeding gums, and serious problems that may require dental treatment to fix.

Swollen gums can also affect your overall health—not just your smile. Studies show that gum infections are linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other health concerns because bacteria from the mouth can travel through the bloodstream. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to your gums, keep up with daily brushing and flossing, and see your dentist if you notice swelling that doesn’t go away.

What Causes Swollen Gums?

Gums can become swollen for a variety of reasons, not all of which require an immediate trip to the dentist’s office. However, while not an emergency, swollen gums signal that something is wrong and you will need professional care. Swelling can occur overnight because of a foreign body getting stuck below the gums, causing an infection similar to a splinter in your finger. It could also be the first sign of gum disease.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common gum irritation caused by inadequate oral hygiene. An early stage of gum disease, gingivitis is characterized by gum swelling, redness, or bleeding during brushing or flossing. This inflammation is your body’s way of fighting harmful bacteria in the plaque that builds up on your teeth when you don’t clean them effectively.

Malnutrition

Nutritional deficiency, particularly in vitamin C, can cause swollen gums. The connective tissues in your gums require vitamin C for growth and repair. Without it, they can become vulnerable to gum infection. Make sure to incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet to avoid this problem.

Gum Infection

A more serious gum infection can develop when a foreign object gets stuck in your gums or bacteria related to gum disease becomes sealed off beneath the gum line. This can create a pus-filled abscess under your gums. If you have a gum abscess, your dentist or periodontist will need to drain it and prescribe you antibiotics. Depending on what caused the abscess — e.g., gum disease or an infection in the tooth’s pulp tissue — periodontal treatment or a root canal may also be needed.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones may aggravate your gums because they can cause a change in the chemistry below the gums, allowing more powerful bacteria to flourish. You must practice proper oral hygiene and schedule regular professional teeth cleanings to control this bacteria. If not, this mild gum disease could progress to periodontitis and bone loss.

Pulp Infection

Gum swelling can also indicate deep decay within a tooth, which has spread into the gum via the tooth’s root. Untreated decay can spread deeper into the tooth until it reaches the soft central tissue called the pulp. If the pulp is infected or dead, you may need a root canal to save the tooth. If your dentist can’t save the tooth, they will have to extract it.

Treating Swollen Gums

If you regularly visit a dentist, you can try some home remedies to see if your gums feel better. However, you should seek professional treatment if the swelling doesn’t subside with home care.

Home Care

Here are a few home care tips to help treat your swollen gums:

• Gently brush and floss your teeth to avoid irritating the gums while cleaning the area.
• Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to help remove bacteria from your mouth.
• Avoid strong mouthwashes, alcohol, and tobacco, all of which irritate swollen gums.
• Drink lots of water to stimulate saliva production and weaken bacteria.
• Apply warm compresses to reduce inflammation and cold compresses to reduce swelling.

Medical Treatment

If you’re unsure of what’s causing your gums to swell or are unable to get the situation under control in a reasonable amount of time, contact your dentist. They may suggest medical treatments such as:

• Oral rinses that help prevent gingivitis and reduce plaque.
• Antibiotics.
• Scaling and root planing — a procedure which involves scraping away diseased gums, plaque, and tartar on the roots of the gums.
• Gum surgery for severe cases.

Final Thoughts on Swollen Gums

If your gums are bothering you, it’s important to improve your oral hygiene routine and schedule regular dental appointments to maintain your gums’ health. But before you schedule an appointment, consider looking into a dental savings plan, which can provide plan members with savings of 10-60% on most procedures. While traditional dental insurance has deductibles, annual caps, waiting periods, and restrictions around pre-existing conditions, dental savings plans do not.

Call us at 1-833-735-0399 to learn more about dental savings plans or use our calculator below to see what you can save right now.